Meet the team
At the core of the Primary Engineer team is the understanding that the work we do has a tremendous effect on children’s lives. Alongside the hard work there is a lot of laughter and a significant ‘wow’ factor – you only have to join in one of our activities to see why we do it!
Susan Scurlock
CEO and Founder of Primary Engineer Programmes
Susan Scurlock, Founder & CEO of Primary Engineer Programmes
She previously worked professionally as a graphic designer, moving on to become a teacher in a secondary school for eight years. I enjoyed primary school thoroughly, well apart from music, barn dancing and learning French! I attended two primary schools, St. Maries Primary School in Bury until I was 8 and then Bury Convent Prep. I didn’t pass my 11+ exam and went on to attend St. Gabriel’s High School. Being one of only two girls in the physics class and, to my irritation still, was not allowed to study Technical Drawing as it was a ‘boys only’ subject at the time! I left with the highest score for exam results the school had achieved at the time, great school! I wasn’t called a swot for nothing…
Victoria Lane
Operations Director
Victoria Lane, Operations Director
A Barrister, as my dad was a policeman, I wanted to follow in his footsteps, but not have all of the physical side to complete.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I am responsible for supervision of the team. I support the CEO, SLT with strategic planning and operational activity. My role is varied: I can be at my desk one day, out at training/celebration events with the events team the next day, followed by strategic meetings the next.
Susan Scurlock
CEO and Founder of Primary Engineer Programmes
Susan Scurlock, Founder & CEO of Primary Engineer Programmes
She previously worked professionally as a graphic designer, moving on to become a teacher in a secondary school for eight years. I enjoyed primary school thoroughly, well apart from music, barn dancing and learning French! I attended two primary schools, St. Maries Primary School in Bury until I was 8 and then Bury Convent Prep. I didn’t pass my 11+ exam and went on to attend St. Gabriel’s High School. Being one of only two girls in the physics class and, to my irritation still, was not allowed to study Technical Drawing as it was a ‘boys only’ subject at the time! I left with the highest score for exam results the school had achieved at the time, great school! I wasn’t called a swot for nothing…
Victoria Lane
Operations Director
Victoria Lane, Operations Director
A Barrister, as my dad was a policeman, I wanted to follow in his footsteps, but not have all of the physical side to complete.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I am responsible for supervision of the team. I support the CEO, SLT with strategic planning and operational activity. My role is varied: I can be at my desk one day, out at training/celebration events with the events team the next day, followed by strategic meetings the next.
Chris Rochester
UK Director
Chris Rochester, UK Director
When I was at Primary School I wanted to be a journalist – I think initially it was confusion about wanting to be Superman rather than Clark Kent, but later ‘Press Gang’ was an influence too. I liked the idea of investigating and finding out about things and always enjoyed writing.
What does your role at primary Engineer involve?
As Regional Director, my role is about developing our work across the South of England, working with our existing stakeholders and developing new relationships with engineering industry and education partners.
Lise McCaffery
Regional Director, Scotland
Lise McCaffery, Regional Director, Scotland
My parents started the first integrated Primary and Secondary schools in Belfast in the 1980’s, educating Catholics and Protestants together, and I went to those schools. no prizes for guessing I wanted to be a teacher then!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role at Primary Engineer involves growing the number of pupils, teachers, schools, councils, engineering and manufacturing companies, colleges and universities we work with, to ensure the positive impact of these partnerships is felt nationwide.
Chris Rochester
Regional Director, South of England
Chris Rochester, Regional Director, South of England
When I was at Primary School I wanted to be a journalist – I think initially it was confusion about wanting to be Superman rather than Clark Kent, but later ‘Press Gang’ was an influence too. I liked the idea of investigating and finding out about things and always enjoyed writing.
What does your role at primary Engineer involve?
As Regional Director, my role is about developing our work across the South of England, working with our existing stakeholders and developing new relationships with engineering industry and education partners.
Lise McCaffery
Regional Director, Scotland
Lise McCaffery, Regional Director, Scotland
My parents started the first integrated Primary and Secondary schools in Belfast in the 1980’s, educating Catholics and Protestants together, and I went to those schools. no prizes for guessing I wanted to be a teacher then!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role at Primary Engineer involves growing the number of pupils, teachers, schools, councils, engineering and manufacturing companies, colleges and universities we work with, to ensure the positive impact of these partnerships is felt nationwide.
Liam Weatherill
Regional Director
Liam Weatherill
When I was at Primary School I wanted to work with animals and, as there was no real information about careers at this age, a VET seemed to be the only option. As the years passed I was drawn more towards creative writing, but eventually chose a STEM pathway. However, I did scratch my writing “itch” and wrote a novel; which was never destined to be a bestseller!
What does your role at primary Engineer involve?
As Regional Director for the North of England, my role is to develop fruitful and lasting relationships with stakeholders. Together, we can inspire children and their direct educators to develop the creativity and problem-solving capabilities of our younger generations, and introduce the world of Engineering to them all.
Jennifer Scurlock
Institution of Primary Engineers, Institution of Secondary Engineers Programme Director
Jennifer Scurlock, Institution of Primary Engineers, Institution of Secondary Engineers Programme Director
I was always interested in physics, art and music as a child, but never aspired to a specific career.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role involves coming up with new ways to engage pupils with STEM and to take ownership of their own learning! On a day-to-day basis I design and manage the Institution Programmes (IPrimEng and ISecEng), coordinate with schools and industry and deliver teacher training.
Liam Weatherill
Regional Director
Liam Weatherill, Regional Director
When I was at Primary School I wanted to work with animals and, as there was no real information about careers at this age, a VET seemed to be the only option. As the years passed I was drawn more towards creative writing, but eventually chose a STEM pathway. However, I did scratch my writing “itch” and wrote a novel; which was never destined to be a bestseller!
What does your role at primary Engineer involve?
As Regional Director for the North of England, my role is to develop fruitful and lasting relationships with stakeholders. Together, we can inspire children and their direct educators to develop the creativity and problem-solving capabilities of our younger generations, and introduce the world of Engineering to them all.
Jennifer Scurlock
Institution of Primary Engineers, Institution of Secondary Engineers Programme Director
Jennifer Scurlock, Institution of Primary Engineers, Institution of Secondary Engineers Programme Director
I was always interested in physics, art and music as a child, but never aspired to a specific career.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role involves coming up with new ways to engage pupils with STEM and to take ownership of their own learning! On a day-to-day basis I design and manage the Institution Programmes (IPrimEng and ISecEng), coordinate with schools and industry and deliver teacher training.
Chris Noone
Leaders Award Programme Coordinator
Chris Noone, Leaders Award Programme Coordinator
I had no idea– I still don’t!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I manage the Primary Engineer and Secondary Engineer Leaders Awards. I oversee the thousands of illustrations, letters and entry forms we receive and organise the teams of judges. Then, as soon as we’ve handed out the trophies, exhibited the fantastic illustrations and finished that Leaders Award for that area in that academic year, we start work on the following year’s competitions all over again.
Jo Norwood
Events Manager
Jo Norwood, Events Manager
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
Chris Noone
Leaders Award Programme Coordinator
Chris Noone, Leaders Award Programme Coordinator
I had no idea– I still don’t!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I manage the Primary Engineer and Secondary Engineer Leaders Awards. I oversee the thousands of illustrations, letters and entry forms we receive and organise the teams of judges. Then, as soon as we’ve handed out the trophies, exhibited the fantastic illustrations and finished that Leaders Award for that area in that academic year, we start work on the following year’s competitions all over again.
Jo Norwood
Events Manager
Jo Norwood, Events Manager
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
Jemma Curtin
Account Manager
Jemma Curtin, Account Manager
Lauren Nightingale
Account Manager
Lauren Nightingale, Account Manager
I never knew what I wanted to be growing up, I think it changed from week to week; from an FBI agent to professional swimmer and runner to interior designer. Because of that, it has allowed me to experiment with different career paths and interests and ultimately believe that is what has led me to where I am today!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
Building and maintaining relationships with links in the engineering and education industries and organising training and celebration events up and down the country.
Jemma Curtin
Account Manager
Jemma Curtin, Account Manager
Lauren Nightingale
Account Manager
Lauren Nightingale, Account Manager
I never knew what I wanted to be growing up, I think it changed from week to week; from an FBI agent to professional swimmer and runner to interior designer. Because of that, it has allowed me to experiment with different career paths and interests and ultimately believe that is what has led me to where I am today!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
Building and maintaining relationships with links in the engineering and education industries and organising training and celebration events up and down the country.
Laura Frankham
Account Manager
Laura Frankham, Account Manager
When I was at primary school I wanted to be a primary school teacher. At a very young age, my brother bought me a whiteboard. I would line my teddies and dolls up, sit them in-front of the whiteboard and teach them for hours.
As I grew older, this dream continued until I reached 20 and then became unsure. I now, being part of Primary Engineer, feel as though I am right where I am supposed to be. I couldn’t be happier with my job. Plus, it’s great that it links with children too!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I am an Events Account Manager. My responsibilities are to organise and carry out both training and celebration events with teachers and children/young people. My role also means corresponding with venues, teachers, children, engineers and others throughout the country.
Katrina Everett
Events Administrator
Katrina Everett, Events Administrator
When I was at Primary school I wanted to be a vet, as I grew up on a farm with a lot of animals and I wanted to keep them all fit and healthy. I changed my mind when I saw some of the things vets had to do!!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role at Primary Engineer involves all the administration for training and celebration events and sending teachers and engineers certificates when they have completed their training.
Laura Frankham
Account Manager
Laura Frankham, Account Manager
When I was at primary school I wanted to be a primary school teacher. At a very young age, my brother bought me a whiteboard. I would line my teddies and dolls up, sit them in-front of the whiteboard and teach them for hours.
As I grew older, this dream continued until I reached 20 and then became unsure. I now, being part of Primary Engineer, feel as though I am right where I am supposed to be. I couldn’t be happier with my job. Plus, it’s great that it links with children too!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I am an Events Account Manager. My responsibilities are to organise and carry out both training and celebration events with teachers and children/young people. My role also means corresponding with venues, teachers, children, engineers and others throughout the country.
Katrina Everett
Events Administrator
Katrina Everett, Events Administrator
When I was at Primary school I wanted to be a vet, as I grew up on a farm with a lot of animals and I wanted to keep them all fit and healthy. I changed my mind when I saw some of the things vets had to do!!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role at Primary Engineer involves all the administration for training and celebration events and sending teachers and engineers certificates when they have completed their training.
Elizabeth Radcliffe
Leaders Award Account Manager
Elizabeth Radcliffe, Leaders Award Account Manager
A pilot.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I primarily work on the Leaders Award Team, as liaison with the schools, introducing, promoting and providing help and advice… when needed. I also add to the database following grading and help to prepare the projects for presentation ready to be displayed. I enjoy every aspect of my work, but the fun really starts when the projects start to arrive and I get to see the wonderful inventions and innovative, imaginative work produced by the students.
Chloe Trippier
Creative Services Manager
Chloe Trippier, Creative Services Manager
I have always been a creative person and I changed my mind constantly. At one point I wanted to be a ballet dancer then an actress; I was just a drama queen!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I create the design aspects within the company, as well as the marketing. I support all of our social networks and try my best to get the word out about all our programmes in a creative manner.
Ben Heffernan
Apprentice Warehouse Coordinator
Ben Heffernan, Apprentice Warehouse Coordinator
When I was at primary school I wanted to be a policeman.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role at Primary Engineer is Apprentice Warehouse Coordinator.
I ensure we have enough stock for each month’s training and place orders for new and additional stock.
I also pack the kits and resources for the schools for on the day training and for the teachers to take back to school for their students.
I book the vans, ferries and couriers we need to get the kit to the various destinations.
Ben Heffernan
Apprentice Warehouse Coordinator
Ben Heffernan, Apprentice Warehouse Coordinator
When I was at primary school I wanted to be a policeman.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role at Primary Engineer is Apprentice Warehouse Coordinator.
I ensure we have enough stock for each month’s training and place orders for new and additional stock.
I also pack the kits and resources for the schools for on the day training and for the teachers to take back to school for their students.
I book the vans, ferries and couriers we need to get the kit to the various destinations.